The importance of adhering to the ties of Islam

Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) is the third principle of the principles of Islam.

All Praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds. And peace and prayers of Allah be upon His servant and messenger, our prophet Muhammad, and all his family and companions.

Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) is the third principle of the principles of Islam, because the Prophet (peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) said: “Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that there is no God except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.

3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity)

4. To perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah)

5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

[The narrator is Abdullah ibn Omar. The reporter is Al-Bukhari. The source is Al-Jame Al-Sahih. The page or the Number is 8. The degree is authentic]

Allah has mentioned Zakat many times in His glorious book because of the greatness of its subject and the neediness of those who deserve it: {that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascriibng partners to Him), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât)} [Surat Al-Bayyinah: 5]

It is sufficient, for its importance, to know that it had been coupled with monotheism and prayer; Allah Almighty says: {And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascriibng partners to Him), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât, and that is the right religion} [Surat Al-Bayyinah: 5]

This had been mentioned in many verses and authentic Ahadeeth. It is reported in the two Sahihs on the authority of Abdullah ibn Omar that the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him said: “I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: La ilâha illallâh (There is no God except Allah), observe (obligatory) prayers, give out Zakat (obligatory charity) and if they do they will save their lives and properties from me unless they preached a right in Islam and their reckoning would be by Allah?” [The narrator is Abdullah ibn Omar. The reporter is Al-Bukhari. The source is Al-Jame Al-Sahih. The page or the Number is 25. The degree is authentic]

Also it has been proofed on the authority of Mu’adh ibn Jabal that when the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him sent him to Yemen, as instructor, guide and caller to the way of Allah Almighty, he said to him: “You are going to people of scripture. So, invite them to bear testimony that there is no God except Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah…” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim], and in another narration “First of all invite them to worship Allah (alone).” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

The meaning is to start by calling to monotheism and dedicating worship to Allah alone, because it is the most important issue, and that is why the Messenger of Allah began by calling people to Allah.

The Prophet continued to call for monotheism, in Makkah, for ten years, before the enjoining of prayer and Zakat. He called people to worship Allah alone and neglect whatever they used to worship instead of Allah (e.g. statues, idols and the like). Then prayers had been enjoined and he continued to call for monotheism, because it is the thing that is desired most by Allah, and it is the supreme obligatory act of worship that He enjoined upon the servants.

Monotheism means dedicating worship to Allah alone; none could be invoked but Him, none could be asked for help but Him and none could be entrusted but him. This is in addition to believing in the Messenger and believing that he is really the Messenger of Allah to all men and jinn. Actually, most people are away from this important issue; they follow their desires as they are described by Allah Almighty: {Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle - nay, they are even farther astray from the Path (i.e. even worse than cattle)} [Surat Al-Furqan: 44]

Therefore, it is obligatory for every adult sane person, of men or Jinn, to fear Allah and worship him alone, because he had been created for this purpose; Allah Almighty says in Surat Az-Zariyat: {And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)} [Surat Az-Zariyat: 56]

The man is created for worshiping his Lord alone, invoking Him, seeking forgiveness from Him, fearing Him, seeking boon from Him, praying for Him, fasting for Him, paying the obligatory charity for His sake and performing pilgrimage for His sake. All the acts of worship must be for Allah alone, as He Almighty says: {Say (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him): “Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). He has no partner} [Surat Al-Anam: 162-163]

Therefore, it is obligatory for all men and jinn to worship Allah alone and sincerely, and not to take any partner with Him, whether it is a king or prophet or jinn or man or righteous person or anybody else, because worship is the right of Allah alone; Allah Almighty says: {And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him} [Surat Al-Isra: 23]

{وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ} الإسراء: 23

Transliteration: Waqada rabbuka alla taAAbudoo illaiyyahu

And He Almighty says: {And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascriibng partners to Him)} [Surat Al-Bayyinah: 5]

Worship could be by invocation, sacrificing animals, vow, fasting, prayer, fearing and hoping. However, many people do not know that and do not worship Allah alone; He Almighty says: {And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly} [Surat Yusuf: 103]

{وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ} يوسف: 103

Transliteration: Wama aktharu alnnasi walaw harasta bimumineena

And He Almighty says: {And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allâh’s Path} [Surat Al-An’âm: 116]

Unfortunately, you could find some people invoke the Prophet or some righteous person, and you could see others invoke specific stone or tree or anything else! Actually, all such deeds are major polytheism. This includes invoking the dead people like Al-Badawy, Al-Husain, Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him and his son too), Abdel-Qader Al-Jilany, some angel, Ibrahim (peace be upon him), Ismâ’îl (peace be upon him), prophet Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), Noah (peace be upon him), ‘îsa (peace be upon him), Moses (peace be upon him) or anybody else. In fact, invoking anyone of those instead of invoking Allah, and seeking their help instead of seeking help from Allah is Major polytheism, and the same is applied to sacrificing for them. That is why the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him said to Mu’adh when he sent him to Yemen: “Invite them to testify that there is no God except Allah…” [Al-Bukhari]

«ادعهم إلى: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأني رسول الله» رواه البخاري

and this means to invite them to monotheism and to start the call for the way of Allah by calling for monotheism (like all the messengers of Allah) before calling for performing prayer or giving the obligatory charity or any other acts of worship, because this is the base of the religion and it is the greatest act of worship; Allah Almighty says: {Worship Allâh and join none with Him (in worship)} [Surat An-Nisâ’: 36]

{وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئاً} النساء: 36

Transliteration: WaoAAbudoo Allaha wala tushrikoo bihi shayan

And He Almighty says: {Verily We have sent down the Book to you (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) in truth: So worship Allâh (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only. Surely the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allâh only} [Surat Az-Zumar: 2-3]

and He Almighty says: {So, call you (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him and the believers) upon (or invoke) Allâh making (your) worship pure for Him (Alone) (by worshipping none but Him and by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off and not to set up rivals with Him in worship), however much the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allâh) may hate (it)} [Surat Ghâfir: 14]

In most countries (except those which Allah had saved), you could find people setting up rivals with Allah; you would find someone worship rivals to Allah, another invokes another rival and another seeks refuge with other than Allah and seeks help from Al-Badawy, Abdel-Qader Al-Jilany, Al-Husain, Prophet Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), Ibrahim (peace be upon him), Ismail (peace be upon him) or anybody else although this is the major polytheism, and the same is applied to sacrificing or vowing to them or invoking the jinn and asking them to do some things. Worship is the right of Allah Almighty alone, and it should be performed sincerely for Him, and if you faced troubles, you should say ‘O Allah, help me’, ‘O Allah, guide me’, ‘O Allah, let me enter paradise’, ‘O Allah, bless whatever You gave to me’ or ‘O Allah save me from so and so’ and invoke Him, because it is He Who says: {“Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation)} [Surat Ghâfir: 60]

{ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ} غافر: 60

Transliteration: odAAoonee astajib lakum

and He Almighty says: { And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)} [Surat Al-Baqarah: 186]

and He Almighty says: {Say (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him): “Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims} [Surat Al-An’âm: 162-163],

and He Almighty says: {Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) Al-Kauthar (a river in Paradise). Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)} [Surat Al-Kauthar: 1-2]

It is obligatory for all adult sane men and jinn to worship Allah sincerely by not invoking, seeking help, vowing or sacrificing animals to anyone but Allah or fearing anyone but Him. That is the message that He sent with His messengers; Allah Almighty says: {And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh).”} [Surat An-Nahl: 36]

All the prophets called people for worshipping Allah alone, and the Messenger of Allah commanded his messengers, that he sent to the different lands, to begin with calling people to monotheism, as he did with Mu’adh, ‘Ali and Abu Musa Al-Ash’ary who called people to monotheism and obeying Allah before calling them to performing the prayer and giving the Zakat. Whoever does not worship Allah alone his prayers, Zakat and fasting would never be accepted, because Allah Almighty says: {But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them} [Surat Al-An’âm: 88],

and He Almighty says: {and indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him), as it was to those (Allâh’s Messengers) before you: “If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.”} [Surat Az-Zumar: 65],

and He Almighty says: {Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers} [Surat Al-Maidah: 72]

If the person spent all the wealth on earth and spent amounts of money as great as the mountains, while he is polytheist, they would never be accepted from him. Allah Almighty says: {And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust} [Surat Al-Furqan: 23]

Therefore; the monotheist believer invokes none except Allah, sacrifices for none but Allah and vows for none but Allah. When he faces troubles, he says ‘O Allah, give me’, ‘O Allah, cure me’, ‘O Allah, support me’. ‘O Allah, save me’, ‘O Allah, grant me paradise’, ‘O Allah, grant me the good son’ or ‘O Allah, present to me the good wife.’ Also, it is forbidden to vow to anyone but Allah, because the Messenger of Allah says: “Whoever vows to obey Allah should obey Him, and whoever vows disobeying Allah should not disobey Him.” [The narrator is ‘Aishah. The reporter is Al-Bukhari. The source is Al-Jame’ Al-Sahîh. The page or the Number is 6696. The degree is authentic]

Thereupon, if the Muslim said: ‘I vow slaughtering a cow for Allah’ or ‘I vow slaughtering a camel for Allah’ or ‘I vow paying such and such money as charity for the sake of Allah’, it would be obligatory for him to fulfill his vow, because the Messenger of Allah says: “Whoever vows obeying Allah should obey Him.” [The narrator is ‘Aishah. The reporter is Al-Bukhari. The source is Al-Jame’ Al-Sahîh. The page or the Number is 6696. The degree is authentic]

«من نذر أن يطيع الله فليطعه» رواه البخاري

The same is applied to saying things such as ‘If Allah healed my sick relative, I would slaughter so and so for the sake of Allah; however, the person should not vow, because the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him said: “Do not vow, because it does not prevent the destiny of Allah; rather it makes the stingy spend.” [Reported by Muslim]

On the other hand; if he said: “If Allah healed my sick relative, I would spend so and so for the sake of my lord Al-Badawy or Abdel-Qader the righteous”, this would be major polytheism. That is why Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdel-Wahab (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in his book (Monotheism) chapters titled ‘It is polytheism to sacrifice to other than Allah’, ‘It is polytheism to seek refuge with someone but Allah or to invoke anyone but Him’ and ‘It is polytheism to seek help from anyone but Allah Almighty’. He (may Allah have mercy on him) meant by these chapters warning people from polytheism because it is the gravest of major sins. Many pilgrims stand beside the grave of the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him and his two companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and invoke them instead of Allah and ask help from them! This is the major polytheism. Also, in Al-Baqê’ graveyard the same is done by some pilgrims. This is like the doing of some Shi’as and the people who worship graves, it is major polytheism.

It is not allowed to invoke the Prophet, Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali, dead persons, angels or jinn, because worship could not be for anyone but Allah alone. Prayers could be performed upon the Prophet (O Allah, bestow your prayers upon Muhammad and his family and companions), and we worship Allah by the Shari’ah of Muhammad; however, worship is the right of Allah. Allah Almighty says: {And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him} [Surat Al-Isra’: 23],

{وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ} الإسراء: 23

Transliteration: Waqada rabbuka alla taAAbudoo illaiyyahu

and He Almighty says: {You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)} [Surat Al-Fatihah: 5]

{إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ} الفاتحة: 5

Transliteration: Iyyaka naAAbudu waiyyaka nastaAAeenu

Some pilgrims and others might say: “O Messenger of Allah, I stood at your grave; so, grant me victory (or heal my patient or be intercessor to me)”. Actually, this is not allowed; rather it is major polytheism. However, if the person said in his invocation to Allah: “O Allah, give Your Prophet the authority to intercede to me on the Day of Judgment after resurrecting people”, it is ok, because the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him will intercede to the believers on the Day of Judgment till they enter the paradise, and he will intercede for many disobedient monotheists, and Allah would get them out of fire because of the intercession of the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him after having the permission from Allah to intercede to them. This is mentioned in the Ahadeeth that are narrated on the authority of the Prophet in the Two Sahihs and other books. On the other hand, after his death and before resurrection, he could not be invoked or sought for help. The same is applied to the other prophets and righteous people; no absent person, dead person or solid body (e.g. statues, trees and the like) could be invoked instead of Allah. However, it is permissible to ask a living person who is present and able, provided it is within the limits that are permitted by the purified Shari’ah. This is like saying: “O man, help me in buying a car (or planting a farm)”, or asking him for a loan while he is alive and listening to you, because he is able, and this is like the saying of Allah Almighty in the story of Moses (peace be upon him) with the Egyptian man: {The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe} [Surat Al-Qasas: 15]

The same is applied to fearing the thieves and having guards; this is also like the saying of Allah Almighty in the story of Moses: {So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear} [Surat Al-Qasas: 21],

{فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا خَائِفاً}القصص: 21

Transliteration: Fakharaja minha khaifan

he escaped from Egypt for fearing Pharaoh because of his power and might. Therefore, it is ok for the Muslim to escape from some country because of fearing some evil in it, and it is ok for the Muslim to have guards to protect him from something he is afraid from. However, fearing the dead people and invoking them instead of Allah is major polytheism, and the same is applied to invoking the jinn; Allah Almighty says: {And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh} [Surat Al-Jinn: 18]

As for slaughtering for the guest or for having food, it is ok. However, slaughtering for some Jinn or some dead person to have his intercession or to have his help or support is major polytheism, because the Prophet said: “Allah cursed whoever slaughters for anyone except Allah.” (The narrator is Ali ibn Abu Talib. The reporter is Muslim. The source is Sahih Muslim. The page or the Number is 1978. The degree is authentic). He is polytheist because he dedicated great act of worship to other than Allah. This is a dangerous issue must be avoided.

«لعن الله من ذبح لغير الله» رواه مسلم

Then prayer is the first thing after testifying that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; the Muslim would not be Muslim without bearing this testimony. If he beard this testimony in truthfulness and sincerity while believing that Allah deserves to be worshipped and believing in the Messenger of Allah and his being Messenger with truth to All humankind, he would be Muslim. However, if he said the testimony hypocritically, he would not be Muslim. He would be Muslim, only if he beard that testimony while believing that Allah is the right God Who deserves to be worshipped alone, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah to all men and jinn, and followed his guidance. Hence, he would enter paradise. On the other hand, who strays from the path of the Prophet and does not follow him, or does not believe him, will enter fire.

Prayer is following to this testimony; performing the prayers in their prescribed times and in congregation is obligatory upon every Muslim except the sick person or the aged weak person. This is obligation because Allah Almighty says: {And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) that you may receive mercy (from Allâh)} [Surat An-Nur: 56]

, and He Almighty says: {In houses (mosques) which Allâh has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is remembered [i.e. Adhan, Iqamah, Salât (prayers), invocations, recitation of the Qur’ân etc.]} [Surat An-Nur: 36]

When the Prophet prayers and peace of Allah be upon him saw a man who prayed but did not perform his prayer well or feel tranquility during it, he ordered him to repeat it and said to him: “Go back and pray again because you did not pray” [Agreed upon]

«ارجع فصل فإنك لم تصل» متفق عليه

The man returned and prayed again like his first prayer, so the Prophet taught him and said: “If you got up for prayer, perform ablution perfectly, then face the Qiblah and say Takbeer (i.e. Allahu Akbar), then recite whatever you could recite from the Qur’an.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]

“Then bow till you become firm in your bowing, then stand up till you become firm in your standing, then prostrate till you become firm in your prostration, then raise (your body to the position of sitting) till you become firm in your sitting, then prostrate till you become firm in your prostration, then repeat that in all your prayer” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

Thereupon, the Muslim should care for all the acts of the prayer and perform it in tranquility and practice it as it is practiced by the Messenger of Allah who said: “Pray as you saw me pray” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

«صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي»رواه البخاري

Prayer is the core pillar of Islam and it is the first thing to be presented to the Muslim from among his deeds; if it had been accepted, he would have gain success and become safe. On the other hand, if it had been rejected, he would have gain failure and loss. Moreover, if prayer is accepted, the other deeds would be accepted too, and if it is rejected, the other deeds would be rejected too. Therefore, every Muslim should care for his prayer and perform it in perfectness and tranquility to do the right of Allah Almighty as He prescribed it, and as the Messenger of Allah taught it to his nation.

Then, Zakat is the third of the principles of Islam. Every Muslim should care for it and fear Allah, if He gave him money. If he did not thank Allah for it and presents its right, Allah would punish him, and on the Day of Judgment it (i.e. the money) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded his body. Is there a sane person accepts to be tortured by his money on a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years and there is no way after it except for paradise or hellfire! Then, the Monotheist believer will enter paradise; when on the other hand, the neglectful will enter hellfire for his insincerity. Therefore, it is obligatory for all people to fear Allah and fulfill His rights as obedience to the saying of Allah Almighty: {Believe in Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad peace and prayers of Allah be upon him), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allâh’s Way), theirs will be a great reward} [Surat Al-Hadid: 7]

, and His saying: {and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers} [Surat Saba: 39]

{وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ} سبأ: 39

Transliteration: wama anfaqtum min shayin fahuwa yukhlifuhu

, and His saying: {And whatever good you send before you for yourselves (i.e. Nawâfil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and ‘Umrah), you will certainly find it with Allâh, better and greater in reward} [Surat Al-Muzzammil: 20]

It is narrated in the authentic Ahadeeth that the Prophet said: “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah, compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah, destroy every miser’” [The narrator is Abdullah Abu Hurayra. The reporter is Al-Bukhari. The source is Al-Jame Al-Sahih. The page or the Number is 1442. The degree is authentic]

The charity brings many benefits to the poor and needy people; therefore, the Muslims should fear Allah during their spending to their money and beware of earning the money by unlawful methods (e.g. deceit, fraud, usury …). Rather, they should care for earning money from the lawful permitted sources and giving the rights of it (e.g. the Zakat and the obligatory spending over the wife and the children and those whom you are obliged to spend over them and be beneficent to them). We invoke Allah Almighty to provide to us understanding the religion and to protect us from the evil of ourselves and the evil of our deeds; indeed He is All Hearer, Ever Near (to all things).